MAD Curatorial

Our curator Alix Schwartz @alixschwartz tells us about Claire Zeisler’s piece on display here at Craft Front and Center. I really was fascinated by the color and intricate fabric details of the sculpture. Be sure to check out Craft Front and Center at MAD before it closes this Sunday! #madmuseum #museum #sculpture #art #newyorkcity #curator #madcuratorial #fabricart

Today, I got another tour of Elissa’s office—this time her bookshelf. I really was fascinated by her vintage collection and also the feminist theory paperbacks! What stood out most to me was how her bookshelf was so diverse and meticulously organized. Elissa’s office is a perfect embodiment of her brilliance and creativity! #madmuseum #museum #officetour #art #newyorkcity #curator #madcuratorial

The Craft Behind the Craft: the mounts keeping all our works upright, stable, and safe! Each mount you see at MAD is custom designed and meticulously fabricated by expert metal smiths, who ensure works of art are presented in their ideal positions and are safe from accidental jostling. The work of mount makers is a behind the scenes craft at MAD. #madmuseum #museum #mounts #art #newyorkcity #craftfrontandcenter #jewelry #madcuratorial

We're saying goodbye to Barbie: A Cultural Icon, and saying hello to Saya Woolfalk, whose solo exhibition opens at MAD on April 12th. Here are some photos of the Dream Car leaving the building.

Plastic as Plastic: November 23, 1968 through January 12, 1969 The Plastic as Plastic exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts highlighted the evolving role of plastics in both design and daily life, marking a pivotal moment in the material’s development. With plastics becoming as ubiquitous as traditional materials like wood and metal, the exhibition explored the limitless possibilities of these man-made substances, emphasizing their capacity to be molded into almost any form and tailored to meet the needs of a changing world. Over fifty years after Naum Gabo's first use of plastics in sculpture, and a century after the creation of the first synthetic plastic, the exhibition showcased the material’s potential to revolutionize design and industry. Featuring objects from everyday life alongside avant-garde artistic pieces, the exhibition underscored plastics' versatility—highlighting their use in a wide range of applications, from packaging to sculpture. The works presented were chosen not for their technological complexity, but for their innovative design and aesthetic appeal, demonstrating how artists and designers were beginning to push the boundaries of what plastics could achieve. The plastics industry was still developing its identity, with an increasing focus on collaboration between artists, designers, and scientists to unlock the material’s full creative potential. The relevance of plastics in contemporary life has only grown since the exhibition. As a material that continues to evolve, plastics are increasingly integral in addressing environmental, technological, and design challenges. Today, innovations like biodegradable plastics and sustainable manufacturing methods have redefined the material’s role in a world seeking eco-friendly solutions. With its flexibility and adaptability, plastic remains central to industries ranging from fashion and architecture to healthcare and technology, making the material more relevant than ever as it continues to shape the future of design and function.

The Made with Paper exhibition, held at the Museum of Contemporary Crafts from November 18, 1967, to January 7, 1968, showcased the innovative use of paper by contemporary artists. A key moment was artist James Lee Byars’ symbolic gesture on New Year’s Day, 1968, when he released a helium-filled balloon carrying a mile of gold paper thread to commemorate the anniversary of helium’s discovery. Byars’ first contribution was a 400-foot "Dissolvo" paper sculpture stretched across 53rd Street, later washed away by sanitation trucks. The exhibition, organized by the Museum of Contemporary Crafts and the American Craftsmen's Council, broke attendance records and traveled across the U.S. In 2009, the Museum of Arts and Design curated Slash: Paper Under the Knife, a similar exploration of paper in contemporary art. Featuring over 50 artists and 12 new site-specific installations, the exhibition showcased intricate paper sculptures and mixed-media works by artists like Thomas Demand, Olafur Eliasson, and Kara Walker. The exhibition was part of MAD’s Materials and Process series, focusing on the revival of traditional handcraft materials in contemporary art. Today, paper remains a versatile and powerful medium in art, used in sculpture, installation, and mixed media. Artists continue to experiment with its textures, weight, and flexibility to create intricate, layered works that explore themes like transformation, memory, and identity. Paper is also increasingly combined with other materials, pushing the boundaries between fine art, design, and craft.

Commissioned for the 1980 Winter Olympics, Art for Use (February 2–24, 1980) showcased 100 functional yet artistic works by 72 craftspeople. Held in Lake Placid before moving to the Museum of Contemporary Crafts, the exhibition highlighted handmade objects—quilts, jewelry, and clothing—that blended tradition with modern materials like photo silk-screening, plastic, and electro-formed metal. Some pieces even integrated technology, such as a heart-monitoring necklace. Reviving the Olympic ideal of uniting art and sport, the exhibition emphasized the shared discipline, creativity, and pursuit of excellence between athletes and artists. It challenged the idea that Olympic athletes were just statistics, much like today’s sports culture often reduces them to performance metrics. Instead, it celebrated the artistry within athleticism, a vision reflected today in sportswear innovation and athlete-driven fashion. The fusion of performance and design continues in collaborations like Serena Williams with Nike or LeBron James with Virgil Abloh, where engineering and aesthetics come together. By showcasing how everyday objects could be both beautiful and practical, Art for Use remains relevant in today’s culture. The intersection of sports, technology, and design echoes the exhibition’s message—that creativity and athleticism are both essential expressions of human excellence.

Stitching (September 23 – November 6, 1967) The exhibition "Stitching" highlighted the evolution of decorative embroidery, an art form born from the practical necessity of stitching. While the earliest examples of embroidery and fabric have not survived, museum collections contain pieces that vividly showcase the craftsmanship and significance of embroidery in historical societies. These fragile materials demonstrate the enduring quality and variety of stitches, many of which remain in use today. Over centuries, embroidery designs diversified not only through different stitches but also through the materials employed. Simple garments made of wool or cotton were often adorned with colorful threads, while luxurious robes of silk or velvet were decorated with gold, silver, pearls, and precious stones. This contrast illustrated how embroidery reflected both artistic expression and social status. The exhibition was divided into three sections. The first featured historical examples of embroidery from various regions, including Peru, Greece, Albania, India, and China. These pieces were chosen for their exceptional color, design, and texture, offering a glimpse into the artistry of the past without attempting a comprehensive historical overview. The second section showcased contemporary embroidery by children from Peru, Sweden, and the United States. The natural creativity and spontaneity of children resulted in imaginative designs and an inventive use of stitches, lending their work a unique charm and appeal. The third section focused on contemporary stitchery by international artists, illustrating the innovations and vitality of modern embroidery. This segment highlighted how embroidery had evolved as an artistic medium in the 20th century. By juxtaposing historical and contemporary examples, the exhibition demonstrated the broad scope and enduring relevance of embroidery as both a practical craft and an art form.

Now live: my interview with @sayawoolfalkstudio in @brooklynrail —a preview of Saya’s upcoming survey Empathic Universe @madmuseum ! Thank you @eleanorheartney for inviting us to contribute to your Critic’s Page!

The Great American Foot (April 14 – June 30, 1978) The exhibition The Great American Foot celebrated the foot’s versatility, showcasing its role in function, fashion, symbolism, and creativity. As an essential part of human mobility and identity, the foot has been a source of inspiration across cultures and centuries. The exhibition explored the many ways the foot has influenced art, entertainment, sports, and social movements. It examined how feet have marched for causes, explored uncharted territories, and even stepped onto the moon. From practical footwear to imaginative creations, the exhibit highlighted how designers and artists have drawn from the foot’s unique form and purpose to create both functional and artistic works. Originally conceptualized during a 1976 workshop led by Else Cameron at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, the idea emerged from a group of museum interns. Following its success at the de Young Downtown Center, the concept was expanded into a larger exhibit for a New York audience and a national tour. Sponsored by the Kinney Shoe Corporation, the show featured an extensive collection of artifacts, a catalog, and a traveling program that emphasized the foot’s cultural and symbolic significance. The exhibition included diverse contributions, from historical artifacts to modern artistic interpretations, inviting visitors to consider the foot from multiple perspectives—practical, humorous, and imaginative. Collaborators such as the Costume Institute of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Grace Kent Sage Advertising, the American Podiatry Association, and podiatrists Dr. Benjamin Kauth and Dr. Steven Shindler were instrumental in its development. Through this engaging collection, the exhibit encouraged audiences to appreciate the foot’s role not just in everyday life, but as a source of inspiration and innovation in design and culture.

The Museum of Contemporary Crafts presented Homage to the Bag to celebrate the essential role bags have played in human history. The exhibition aimed to raise awareness of the diverse forms and functions of bags, highlighting the creativity involved in their design and construction. Organized over two years, the exhibition was the result of extensive research, for which the Museum thanked Ruth Tanehaus, the Exhibition Curator, for her dedication and tireless efforts. Special recognition was given to Dolph Gotelli, who made a significant contribution to the research, design, and installation of the exhibition during a three-month sabbatical from the University of California at Davis. The Museum also expressed appreciation to the directors, curators, and staff of several institutions, including the American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, for their guidance and the loan of objects.

Step into the World of Amusements! 🎨🎉 Paul J. Smit, Director of the museum, described the Amusements exhibition as an exploration of creativity and play: “In making the selection representing seventy-seven artists, we aimed to illustrate the potential for amusing experiences. We chose objects that reflected moments of humor or provoked laughter through their composition. Some pieces were self-activated, while others were interactive, game-like works. Many reflected the artist’s own sense of fun during their creation.” This exhibit broke age barriers, focusing on universal joy. Featuring 127 unique pieces, many created exclusively for this exhibition, Amusements celebrated the whimsy and ingenuity of the younger generation of artists. Notable works included: 🎭 Sculpture and toy sculpture by William Accorsi 🎵 A carved wood tape recorder by Wendell Castle 🎲 Interactive games by Creative Playthings 📸 Photo constructions by François Dallegret 🕊️ Tin can people and birds by Donald Drum 🎼 A musical tower by Charles Eames Running from November 21, 1964, to January 17, 1965, Amusements invited visitors of all ages to experience the joy of making and interacting with art in unexpected ways. #MuseumLife #ArtExhibition #CuratorialInspiration #MADExhibits #CreativityEverywhere